Organ culture mimics the effects of hypoxia on membrane potential, K⁺ channels and vessel tone in pulmonary artery

Abstract

Culture of PA for 3-4 days induced loss of functional K(+) channels, depolarization of PASMCs, Ca(2+) influx, intrinsic tone and spontaneous constrictions, similar to the effects of chronic hypoxia. This limits the use of cultured vessels for studying excitation-contraction coupling, although oxygenating the culture medium and removing the endothelium can help to retain normal smooth muscle function.